Giants sign Corey Ballentine

The Giants have signed defensive back Corey Ballentine, their sixth round pick out of Washburn.

Ballentine was excused from the team's rookie minicamp earlier this month after he was a victim of a random shooting just hours after he was drafted by the Giants. The shooting struck Ballentine in the glutes and sadly killed his close friend and college teammate Dwane Simmons, sending the entire Washburn community into mourning.

It's unclear if Ballentine, who has reported to the Giants to begin his acclimation to the NFL, will be physically ready to take the field this spring with the rest of his teammates, but at least the young man now has the security of having his first NFL contract resolved.